Implementation Guidance

OVS Guides

• Offer versus Serve Guide for School Meals (CSDE)
• Offer versus Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP (USDA)

OVS Implementation Resources

• Offer versus Serve Posters for Breakfast and Lunch (USDA webpage)
• Overview of OVS in the NSLP (CSDE)
• Overview of OVS in the SBP (CSDE)
• OVS Tip Sheet for School Food Service Managers: National School Lunch Program (USDA) 
• OVS Tip Sheet for School Food Service Managers: School Breakfast Program (USDA)
• Salad Bars and OVS ("Related Resources" section)
• USDA Memo SP 14-2025: Offer versus Serve Flexibilities for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program
• USDA Memo SP 41-2015: Updated Offer vs Serve Guidance for the NSLP and SBP Beginning SY 2015-16
• USDA Memo SP 35-2011 and CACFP 23-2011: Clarification on the Use of Offer vs. Serve and Family Style Meal Service 
• USDA Memo SP 06-2007 Fluid Milk and Other Food Components/Menu Items in Reimbursable Lunches

OVS Training

• Module 15: Offer versus Serve (OVS) in the NSLP (CSDE’s What’s in a Meal: Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in the School Nutrition Programs)
• Module 16: Offer versus Serve (OVS) in the SBP (CSDE’s What’s in a Meal: Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in the School Nutrition Programs)